Cubs center fielder Marlon Byrd hit a 40-foot dribbler down the third-base line with one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 12th to push shortstop Starlin Castro across the plate for the game-winning run in Chicago's 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros in the series opener Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field.
It was a tough way for the Astros to drop a nail-biting, extra-inning matchup, especially on a controversial ruling by third-base umpire Dave Rackley that Byrd's dribbler managed to stay in fair territory.
Although replay indicates the ball was likely foul, home-plate umpire Jeff Nelson had the responsibility of making the ruling, thus triggering Astros manager Brad Mills to argue the call in disbelief.
Cubs starter Matt Garza tossed nine innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits with no walks and four strikeouts over a season-high 124 pitches (88 for strikes), to earn a tough no-decision.
Carlos Lee was to thank for that.
The three-time All-Star slugger went deep twice, including a game-tying two-run homer off Garza in the ninth, to send it to extra innings.
Garza was one strike away from tossing a stellar complete-game, five-hitter for his ninth win of the season, until Lee's monstrous blast.
Lee previously belted a solo homer in the second.
He has 38 career home runs versus the Cubs over his 13 big league seasons -- the most he's recorded against any single opponent.
Also, Lee ranks third behind sluggers Albert Pujols (53) and Adam Dunn (41) for most career home runs against Chicago among active players
Lee's 23 career home runs at Wrigley Field are his most at any road ballpark, which currently ranks third behind Pujols (26) and Dunn (25) among active players while playing at the Friendly Confines.
Cubs catcher Geovany Soto tied the game at 1-1 with a 381-foot solo homer to left -- his 15th home run of the season -- in the third.
Aramis Ramirez belted a one-out triple in the sixth and scored on Jeff Baker's go-ahead single as part of Chicago's two-run inning.
Alfonso Soriano chased Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez on an RBI single to center to score Baker and put the Cubs up 3-1
Rodriguez surrendered three earned runs on six hits with four walks and five strikeouts over 107 pitches (66 for strikes) in 5 2/3 innings.
Mills utilized the services of relievers Wilton Lopez, Lucas Harrell, Xavier Cedeno, Enerio Del Rosario, Wesley Wright and Fernando Rodriguez over 5 1/3 shutout innings, with Rodriguez tossing 2 1/3 scoreless frames while striking out five.
After Lee tied the game at 3-3, the Astros recorded just one hit -- a Lee single -- against Cubs closer Carlos Marmol and right-hander Jeff Samardzija, despite posing a threat in the top of the 12th.
Lee led off the inning with a single to right and was replaced with pinch-runner Jason Bourgeois, who stole second with no outs.
However, Samardzija bounced back to retire Brian Bogusevic on a fly ball to left field, as well as pinch-hitter Chris Johnson and shortstop Clint Barmes on pop ups to the right side of the infield.
Astros reliever David Carpenter got off to a rough start in the bottom half by walking Castro, which set up Darwin Barney's sacrifice bunt.
Carpenter issued an intentional walk to Ramirez.
Castro and Ramirez advanced to third and second with just one out on Carpenter's wild pitch, forcing the Astros to issue an intentional walk to right fielder Reed Johnson to load the bases.
Byrd drove in the game-winner on the dribbler, as Johnson elected to let the ball roll down the third-base line before fielding it.
Johnson eventually picked it up thinking the ball was foul.
Carpenter (0-3) earned the loss for Houston, while Samardzija (7-4) added on to his career high in victories by recording the win.
The Astros went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and struggled to produce offensively, outside of Lee's three-hit performance.
Houston will attempt to even the series Saturday afternoon when rookie right-hander Henry Sosa (2-4, 5.02 ERA) gets the starting nod against Cubs veteran right-hander Rodrigo Lopez (5-6, 5.04 ERA).
First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. CT.
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